



ROCKY MOUNTAIN 



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Nationstl Pa.rk 



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UNITED STATES RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION 



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Copyright by WiawaU 

The Village of Estea Park nestles in a quiet little valley, surrounded by mountains 
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An Appreciation of 

Rocky Mountain National Park 

By ENOS A. MILLS. 
Author of "Wild Life on the Rockies," "The Rocky Mountain Wonderland," etc. 

Written ELspecially for the United States Railroad Administration 

i]HE Rocky Mountain National Park is a marvelous grouping of gentle- 
ness and grandeur; an eloquent, wordless hymn, sung in silent, poetic 
pictures; a wilderness mountain world of groves and grass plots, crags 
and canyons, rounded lakes with shadow-matted shores that rest in 
peace within the purple forest. There are wild flowers of every color, and many 
a silken meadow edged with ferns. Brokenness and beauty, terrace upon terrace, 
a magnificent hanging wild garden. 

Over these terraces waters rush and pour. From ice-sculptured, snow-piled 
peaks, young and eager streams leap in white cascades between crowding cliffs 
and pines. 

Through this wildness winds the trail, with its secrets of the centuries, where 
adventures come and go and where the magic camp fire blossoms in the night. 

In these primeval scenes the grizzly bear gives to the wilderness its master spell; 
the mountain ram poses on the cliff; the laughing, varied voice of the coyote echoes 
when the afterglow falls; the home-loving beaver builds his willow-fringed hut; the 
birds sing; the cheerful chipmunk frolics and never grows up; and here the world 
stays young. 

The Rocky Mountain National Park holds adventure for every visitor. In it 
the world is new and wild, and on the imagination it produces the explorer's stirring 
joys. Its mile-high, unfenced scenes give freedom — splendid landscapes of the 
ideal world. 

Here for everyone are health and hope, efficiency and joy. 

Not a wild animal in this or any national park is ferocious. 

Strong is the friendliness of nature. With it everyone has a place in the sun. 
Her privileges are for each and all. Nature is universal, and here the stranger makes 
intimate acquaintances. Prejudice ceases. Each is at his best. In this greatest 
wilderness meeting place the East and the West understand and become friends. 
Travel unites people. 

Into this Park through the years will pour a continuous procession of peoples 
to mingle and form an international conference of friends. Here flags of nations 
and national boundary lines are forgotten. Kinship is the spirit of Nature. 



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To the American People: 

Uncle Sam asks you to be his guest. He has prepared for you the 
choice places of this continent — places of grandeur, beauty and of 
wonder. He has built roads through the deep-cut canyons and beside 
happy streams, which will carry you into these places in comfort, and 
has provided lodgings and food in the most distant and inaccessible 
places that you might enjoy yourself and realize as little as possible 
the rigors of the pioneer traveler's life. These are for you. They are 
the playgrounds of the people. To see them is to make more hearty 
your affection and admiration for America. ^ / 




Rocky Mountain National Park 




MAGINE a giant hand with 
the base of the palm as 
Estes Park Village and the 
fingers extending westward 
toward the Divide, the 
fingers roughly representing the moun- 
tain spurs, moraines and peaks given off 
from the main range, and the spaces be- 
tween, the intermediate canyons, with 
their many streams, which converge at 
the village to form the Big Thompson 
River; imagine another but smaller hand 
to the south reaching into the park from 
the east towards Long's Peak and the 
peaks to the south, the streams from this 
watershed forming the St. Vrain River; 
then imagine the finger tips merging into 
the Continental Divide, each as a living 
glacier — and there you will have the 
Park's topography. 

Then clothe the canyons in garments 
of evergreen forest and the glades with 
the quaking aspen, floor the rocky 
gorges with sky-blue lakes and hang 
their walls with tumbling waterfalls, 
carpet all the open spaces — from above 
timber line down to the broad spreading 
meadows where the rivers merrily sing 
their way — with a huge army of brilliant 



hued wild flowers; then people the 
Arcadia plentifully with the wild life, 
whose natural home it is — the finned, 
furred and feathered — the wily trout, 
the beaver and the mountain sheep (to 
mention only a few) ; and lastly spread 
over all a turquoise blue sky with a dry. 
crystal atmosphere, shot through with 
brilliant sunshine, and you will have an 
idea of what Rocky Mountain National 
Park really is. 

The attendance figures are increasing 
each year far beyond the most enthusias- 
tic prophesies. Even though it is one 
of our newest national parks, it annually 
entertains more visitors than any of the 
other national parks. 

When it is considered that the vaca- 
tionist is whisked from Chicago or St. 
Louis to Denver, then set at the foot of 
one of the mightiest mountains of the 
Rockies' main range in about a day and 
a half of actual travel, it is realized how 
much of a public benefit was conferred 
when Congress in 1915 set a^ide this, 
the easternmost of our western national 
playgrounds. 

Not only is this national park the 
composite of all that is fairest, most 



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Auto highway through the Big Thompson Canyon. The approaches to the Park are of untiring interest to the 
visitor, and the roads a constant delight to the motorist 

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awe-inspiring and climatically ideal in 
the Rocky Mountain region, but it is 
not far from the geographical center of 
the country, and is the most easily 
reached by a large number of people of 
all our national parks. 

This region of endless wonder and 
fascination is only seventy miles from 
Denver by auto all the way, or by 
rail to several different gateways, thence 
auto for about twenty-five or forty 
miles — not a long, tiring, monotonous 
ride through an uninteresting country, 
but instead it is a motor trip that ranks 
among the finest in Colorado. Follow- 
ing the rushing waters of the Big Thomp- 
son or the St. Vrain, over hard-surfaced 
roads, through deep canyons, wonderful 
in their coloring, the big, roomy, power- 
ful automobiles take the grade with such 
ease that one hardly realizes that he is 
climbing rapidly. Enraptured by the 
intensely interesting scenes, the traveler 
is all too suddenly aware of his journey's 
end, when the magnificent panorama of 
Estes Park Village and Rocky Mountain 
National Park unexpectedly bursts into 
view. Soon he is eating dinner at one 
of the large hotels, or at a small ranch 
hotel, or in a modestly appointed cot- 
tage, as choice may dictate. A feature 
of the Park is its adaptability; one may 
rest and recreate amid most entrancing 
surroundings, with a range of accommo- 
dations from the elaborate furnishings 
and service of the large city hostelry to 
the simplicity of the secluded log cabin 
or the outpost tent cottage. In short, 
life may be lived here in a manner to suit 
the taste and the purse of the individual. 
He may rough it or enjoy the con- 
veniences and luxuries of the city. The 
tired business man who just wants to 
"loaf" amid incomparable grandeur; 
the active, outdoor young American; 
the geologist, who is studying moraines 
and glaciers, and the botanist, all will 
find life enjoyable here. 

Another noteworthy feature is that 
special outfitting is unnecessary; no 
unusual preparation need precede the 
journey to the Park. The Park itself 
provides the entertainment. Any sup- 
plies considered essential can be secured 
at Estes Park Village, or at any one 
of the several Park gateway cities. 

Rocky Mountain National Park ex- 
tends approximately twenty-five miles 



north and south, and fifteen miles east 
and west, embracing about 400 square 
miles of territory. 

From the northwest corner to the 
middle of its southern boundary the 
snow-capped giants forming the Conti- 
nental Divide rear their grim, rocky 
crests in an irregular line which forms 
the backbone of this Park and is its 
commanding feature, ever present, ever 
changing, and ever awe-inspiring. Here 
are fifty-one peaks with summits more 
than 10,000 feet high, also unnumbered 
canyons, about 200 lakes, many un- 
named, waterfalls, glaciers, native forests 
and wild flowers. Exceptionally rugged 
and out-of-the-way places appeal espe- 
cially to the explorer. 

There is probably no mountain range 
more majestic than the main range of 
the Rockies as seen from almost any 
part of the Park, and one of the most 
striking features is the accessibility of 
these mountain tops. One may mount 
a horse after early breakfast in the val- 
ley, ride up Flattop to enjoy one of the 
great views of the world, and be back for 
late luncheon; or cross the Continental 
Divide from the hotels of one side to the 
hotels of the other side of the Park, be- 
tween early breakfast and late dinner. 

From early dawn, with its delicate 
tints of rose and amethyst, to later 
afternoon, with its golden sunshine and 
lengthening purple shadows, the range 
presents an ever-changing panorama. 
On a peak, perhaps, settles momentarily 
a gray snow-cloud; in yonder canyon 
breaks a brief-lived shower, sunshot with 
silvery rain as it quickly clears away; 
while over all, the fleece flecked sap- 
phire sky and dazzling sunlight hold 
sway. At midday, all Nature rests and 
in its brighter light the range seems to 
cower and grow small, only to reassert 
itself in full power and majesty as day 
ends with a sunset of such splendor as 
only the Rockies may boast. 

It is in its nearer and more intimate 
aspects, however, that the exquisite 
beauties of the Park reveal themselves. 
In the lower levels are widespread undu- 
lating meadows, dotted with evergreens 
and interspersed with the hills and 
ridges which thrust themselves forward 
in all directions from the main range to 
the west, and from the lesser range to 
the east, which completes its encircling 



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Chasm Gorge is one of the Park's wonder spots — Long's Peak in the distance 



protection. Thus diversified, the land- 
scape becomes a scenic kaleidoscope, no 
matter how short a distance one may 
wander. This constitutes not the least 
of the Park's many charms. 

Unless the visitor deliberately chooses 
to do otherwise, he will find his foot- 
steps leading unconsciously to the 
heights, and as he climbs and gets his 
first wonderful views of the surrounding 
country his desire to scale the more 
lofty crests grows in proportion as 
he ascends, until finally he becomes 
obsessed with a desire to climb that 
noble mountain of the rampart range, 
Long's Peak, from whose summit the 
whole world seems to lie at one's feet. 
But he who is mountain-wise will 
not make such an attainment an 
end in itself, or he will have missed 
entirely the many pleasures which lie by 
the way on every hand. Here a bab- 
bling stream with a bed of wild flowers 
hidden among the trees upon its bank; 
or along its smoother stretches an in- 
dustrious beaver colony. There a grove 
of quivering aspen. On one hand a 
splashing waterfall, seeming to burst 
from the cool shadows of the mountain 
side to drop forty or fifty feet to the pool 
below; on the other hand, an open forest 
of ancient cedars, or perhaps one of 
those exquisitely blue, forest-circled 



mountain lakes, carrying upon its bosom, 
even in midsummer, the ice which here 
has its permanent home. 

And below, the silvery, trout-filled 
streams wind their tortuous course, 
while rising from the rocky fastnesses 
above, may now and then be glimpsed 
the snowy peaks. 

And these are not imaginary pictures, 
but real scenes which may be found in 
the uplands almost anywhere through- 
out the Park. 

An Invigorating Climate 

The climate of Rocky Mountain 
National Park needs no extensive de- 
scription. Due to the altitude, which 
varies from 7,500 to 14,253 feet, the air 
is light, very dry, and has a wonderfully 
stimulating effect, especially upon those 
accustomed to the lower levels. The 
sunshine is genial, warm, bright and 
almost constant during the summer 
months. Very rarely is there a rainy 
"spell," or, in fact, a single day during 
which the sun does not show itself for 
awhile, the occasional afternoon showers 
being of short duration. The sunshine 
may be hot at midday, but always there 
is a cool spot in the shade. And 
though one may freely perspire when 
indulging in vigorous play or work in 
the sun, yet it is without discomfort. 



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Picnicking on the shores of Lake Nanita 



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because of the instant evaporation of 
moisture, due to the dryness of the 
atmosphere. The nights are cool, often 
even cold; blankets always are welcome 
and sound sleep is the rule. 

The deep breathing, which one culti- 
vates naturally in this rarefied atmos- 
phere, sends the blood coursing through 
the body with new life and energy, 
bringing rosy cheeks and bright eyes and 
a new interest in life. One may have 
come intent on idleness, but, with that 
splendid feeling of well being and pure 
joy in living which the first few days 
bring, comes a longing for action, and 
soon one is in the full swing of some out- 
door recreation. It is indeed quite true 
that the Park climate is so beneficial, 
both physically and mentally, that this 
alone offers sufficient inducement for 
spending a vacation in this region. 

Recreation Amid Inspiring and 
Healthful Surroundings 

What to do may be briefly summed up: 
Motoring, horseback riding, walking, 
mountain climbing, fishing and camera 
shooting for the actively inclined; and 
for all, the enjoyment of the many 
wonderful scenes with their changing 
lights and shadows and the health- 
giving mountain air. Tennis, golf, cro- 
quet, etc., are attractions at some of the 
resorts. Horseback riding, hiking and 
mountain climbing, however, are the 
favorite pastimes because of the splendid 
roads and trails which lead in every 
direction over the rolling meadows, 
through the canyons, along the sunlit 
streams — even to the apparently inac- 
cessible heights. 

Automobile roads gridiron the lower 
levels and reach the hotel resorts. This 
is not remarkable, as the natural sur- 
faces are smooth; suitable road material 
is everywhere, and good roads are easily 
made. Traveling leisurely, so as to 
fully enjoy the rare pleasures by the way, 
the sightseer still may traverse all the 
motor roads of the Park in a few days, 
although a favorite plan is to make one- 
day picnic trips, going as far as possible 
in a given direction by motor and spend- 
ing the remainder of the day in climbing 
and exploring the upper wilds which are 
reached only by trail. Even though a 
different trip is planned for every day, 
weeks may be profitably spent in this 



way. Automobiles may be rented at 
reasonable rates in the village. 

Horseback riding is pre-eminently the 
most popular sport m the Park, due to 
the number and variety of rides that are 
possible. For, with good trails leading 
in every direction, and the almost count- 
less attractions, the visitor may ride 
day after day and week after week and 
yet never take the same ride or visit the 
same destinations twice. 

Almost everybody rides — the young, 
the old, the middle-aged; and all derive 
lasting benefits. Good saddle horses 
may be obtained at the various liveries 
and at all the outlying resorts. They 
are well broken and reliable, and 
accustomed even to the most difficult 
mountain trails. 

Most of the streams in the Park and 
many of the lakes are well supplied with 
native and rainbow trout, and the fisher- 
man will here find ample reward for his 
skill and patience, especially in the Big 
Thompson River and its tributaries. A 
local fish hatchery annually supplies the 
streams of the Parkwith millions of trout, 
thus insuring the upkeep of the supply. 

There are golf courses. Worthy of 
particular mention is the 1 8-hole course 
of the Estes Park Country Club, adja- 
cent to the village. Club house and 
course are available to the public. The 
Stanley hotel has a course laid out in 
the meadowlands skirting the Big 
Thompson River. 

The winters in the Park are not severe; 
generally the snowfall is not heavy on the 
lower levels. Back in the mountains 
where the snowfall is heavy, but within 
easy reach of Estes Village, conditions 
are ideal for winter sports. Two ski 
courses and two toboggan slides have 
been completed, and several of the 
resorts arrange accommodations for a 
limited number of winter parties. 

The Park in Detail 

Although having only a small per- 
manent population, Estes Park Village 
is well supplied with stores, schools, 
churches, garages, liveries, etc., and is 
always prepared to meet the needs of 
the summer visitor. The village is 
picturesquely situated among a cluster 
of hills rising about 1 ,200 feet on all 
sides, at the confluence of the Big 
Thompson and Fall Rivers. 



Page nine 




Lake Mills is one of the beautiful lakes in the wild Loch Vale section of the Park 



In Estes Park Village are the Hupp, 
Josephine and Estes Park hotels, the 
Brown Tea Pot Inn and Prospect Inn, 
while the Lewiston overlooks the village 
from a rocky eminence just to the north. 
Outside, to the east, and adjacent to its 
golf course and the Big Thompson 
meadow, is the largest hotel, the Stanley, 
while a short distance to the west on the 
Fall River is Elkhorn Lodge. To the 
south, near the Big Thompson River 
and within plain view of the village, is 
the Crags. A short distance below and 
to the west, on the banks of the river, 
is the Big Thompson hotel. 

Five miles northeast from the village 
of Estes is the fascinating region sur- 
rounding Lester hotel. One of the 
best of the longer horseback trips from 
this point is to Hallett Glacier. Another is 
that to Lost and Husted Lakes at the foot 
of the Mummy Range, a spur extending 
northeast of the Continental Divide with 
numerous peaks rising over 13,000 feet. 

The remainder of Rocky Mountain 
National Park falls into a series of topo- 
graphical divisions or districts, begin- 
ning at the north with the picturesque 
diversity of Horseshoe Park, and ending 
with that wild confusion of precipices 
and lakes known as the Wild Basin, 
south of Long's Peak and east of the 
Continental Divide. 



Horseshoe Park (seven miles up the 
Fall River road) and its immediate 
surroundings form a rare combination 
of flower-carpeted meadows, forest-clad 
mountains, streams and waterfalls. Here 
are Horseshoe Inn and Fall River Lodge. 
Horseshoe Park is the point of departure 
for two of the most interesting trips — 
to Lawn and Crystal Lakes and Hallett 
Glacier in the Mummy Range; also the 
main trail across the Continental Divide 
to the Grand River. On the shore of 
Lawn Lake is the Lawn Lake Lodge. 

Long's Peak Inn, the Columbines and 
Hewes-Kirkwood Inn, nine miles south 
of Estes Park Village, are starting points 
for the trail to the summit of Long's 
Peak. Horses may be used as far as 
Timberline Cabin at the edge of Boulder 
Field, from where the most difficult part 
of the ascent, extending about two 
miles, is made on foot. After crossing 
the huge boulders of Boulder Field, 
comes the climb through the Keyhole, a 
curious opening which separates the 
east and west slopes, and through which 
a glorious view of Glacier Gorge and the 
country beyond is obtained. Long s 
Peak summit is reached at an elevation 
of 14,255 feet. This is the giant peak of 
the entire Rocky Mountain National 
Park, and from it is spread out in all 
directions a jumbled confusion of peaks, 



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gorges, moraines, lakes, distant valleys 
and snow-capped ra-nges, forming a 
series of views of unsurpassed sublimity. 

Long's Peak Inn is the home of Enos 
A. Mills, the well known author, natur- 
alist, and interpreter of the outdoors, 
with special reference to its flowers, 
forests, rocks, bird and animal life. 
Mr. Mills first established himself at 
the base of Long's Peak in 1 884. 

On the road from Long's Peak resorts 
to the village is Lily Lake hotel, at- 
tractively situated on Lily Lake. One- 
half mile from Lily Lake, on the main 
road to the village, is Baldpate Inn. 
Nearer the village is Rockdale hotel, 
near Mary Lake. 

To the south of Long's Peak is the 
Wild Basin country, noted for its many 
lakes and waterfalls, wild gorges and 
rocky peaks, most of the latter more than 
13,000 feet high. This district may be 
best reached from the Long's Peak 
resorts or from Copeland Lodge on 
Copeland Lake or from National Park 
Hotel in Allen's Park Village. 

Moraine Park, from five to six miles 
southwest of Estes Park Village, is the 
open valley of the Big Thompson, with 
an extensive glacial moraine to the 
south. Here are located Stead's, Mo- 
raine Lodge and the Brinwood, 

Fern Lodge, on Fern Lake, and Forest 
Inn at the Pool may well be made the 



headquarters for such trips as lead into 
the more remote parts of this heart of 
the wilderness. 

By many, the Loch Vale and Glacier 
Gorge sections, just northwest of Long's 
Peak and known as the Wild Gardens, 
are considered the surpassing scenic 
section of Rocky Mountain National 
Park. Sprague's hotel in Bartholf Park 
is the nearest resort to this region. A 
day's trip from here is west to Loch Vale 
Lake and across to Andrew's Glacier 
and up to the Continental Divide. 

Bierstadt, Bear and Dream Lakes are 
all charming spots, most easily reached 
from Sprague's or Moraine Park. On the 
shore of Bear Lake is Bear Lake Lodge. 

Y. M. C. A. Camp and School 

An important feature of the Park is 
the Annual Conference and Summer 
School of the Young Men's Christian 
Association. Established almost ten 
years ago, it has grown to be a very 
important institution, with an invest- 
ment of over $100,000 in grounds, per- 
manent buildings and equipment, in- 
cluding gymnasium, assembly hall, din- 
ing room, class rooms, tennis courts, 
baseball diamond and athletic field. 
The conference and school bring a large 
number of visitors to the park and many 
speakers of national reputation. 




Hallett's Glacier — an amphitheatre of snow and ice 



Page eleven 




ROCKY MOUNTAIN NA 

affords an opportunity for 
of outdoor recreation an 
motoring, boating, horset 
golf and tennis vie with 



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Classic pines and waters. Grand Lake — western entrance to the Park 



Beautiful Grand Lake Region 

Grand Lake is the western gateway to 
the Rocky Mountain National Park. 
It is reached by rail from Denver to 
Granby, thence by stage. Grand Lake is 
situated in the valley of the North Fork 
of Grand River, and is the largest lakein 
the vicinity of the Park, and here each 
year is held a regatta for a Lipton cup. 
It is the center of a growing cottage 
and hotel population, and is destined to 
become a place of much importance upon 
the completion of the Fall River motor 
road, which will connect the east and 
west sides of the Park. 

An excellent road encircles the lake, 
and from it trails penetrate the wilder- 
ness to various points and over the 
Continental Divide. 

The two trails from the summit of 
Flattop Mountain to Grand Lake and 
that from Fall River Canyon to the 
North Fork of the Grand River at Camp 
Wheeler ("Squeaky" Bob's Resort) offer 
trips of unusual interest. 

Living Glaciers 

Among the most widely known glaciers 
that still remain in the Park are Hallett, 
Tyndall, Andrews and Sprague's. 

One of the remarkable features of 
Rocky Mountain National Park is the 



legibility of the record left by the glaciers 
during the ages when America was in 
the making. The evidences of glacial 
action in all its variety are apparent 
to even the most casual eye. In fact, 
there is scarcely any part of the eastern 
side of the park where some great 
moraine is not in evidence. One enor- 
mous moraine, built up by ancient 
parallel glaciers and rising with sloping 
sides nearly a thousand feet above the 
surrounding valley, is so prominent that 
a region of the Park is named for it. 

The Park itself is a primer of glacial 
geology, whose lessons are so simple, so 
plain to the eye, that they immediately 
disclose the key to one of Nature's chief 
scenic secrets. 

Animals, Birds and Wild Flowers 

Rocky Mountain National Park is a 
natural home for bear, deer. Rocky 
Mountain sheep, beaver and other wild 
animals, as well as numerous species of 
birds. Under government regulations 
the wild animal life in the Park is fully 
protected. 

The bighorn or Rocky Mountain 
sheep, with their curious circling horns, 
are seen in increasing numbers every 
year, and frequently they may be ap- 
proached sufficiently near to photo- 



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Camping at Bear Lake 



graph. To see them jumping from 
crag to crag, graceful and agile, or 
dropping off a sheer precipice, is a sight 
long to be remembered. They congre- 
gate during the summer months on 
Specimen Mountain, where they often 
may be seen from the trail. 

The beaver are increasing rapidly, and 
their industrious colonies may be found 
along the quieter reaches of the streams, 
bordered by groves of white trunked 
quaking aspen, whose tender bark con- 
stitutes the beavers' principal food. 
The beaver themselves are seldom seen, 
except as reward for the greatest 
patience, but well engineered dams and 
snug dome-shaped homes are the sure 
evidence of their presence. 

There are more than 1 50 elk in the 
Park, and they are frequently seen. 
Deer are increasing and are occasion- 
ally seen. Bear and mountain lions 
rarely are visible. There are many 
woodchucks and squirrels; it is easy to 
make friends of the chipmunks. 

There are more than a hundred species 
of birds to be seen in the Park. Among 
them are the robin, bluebird, wren, 
hermit thrush, humming bird, white- 
crowned sparrow and that marvelous 
singer, the solitaire. The ouzel, Rocky 
Mountain jays, chickadee, the wood- 



pecker and the magpie are all-year 
dwellers. The ptarmigan and the rosy 
finch are prominent residents in the 
heights above timber line. 

Among the wild flowers of the Park 
are more than a thousand species, 
including the fringed blue and several 
other gentians; the numerous colum- 
bines, blooming at the lower levels 
in June and on the heights in Septem- 
ber; mertensia, phlox, primroses, Mari- 
posa lilies, daisies and larkspurs; Indian 
paint brush, ranging from dark crimson 
through all the shades to a white; asters, 
marigolds and many others. Many 
flowers grow above timber line — in fact, 
almost everywhere — and the Alpine 
buttercup pushes its blooms up through 
the melting snowdrifts. 

The tree growths consist principally 
of Douglas spruce, lodge pole and yellow 
pine and aspen, while up near timber 
line are found the Englemann spruce, 
limber pine, cedar, Arctic willow and 
black birch. 

Timber Line, with Its Dwarfed and 
Twisted Trees 

Timber line occurs at about I 1 ,000 
feet altitude. Here the low winter 
temperatures and the fierce icy winds 
make it impossible for trees to grow tall. 



Page sixteen 



and occasionally a great spruce lies flat 
on the ground like a vine; presently trees 
give place to low birches, which in their 
turn are succeeded by small piney 
growths, and finally come the strangling 
grasses, hardy mosses and tiny Alpine 
flowers. Grass grows in sheltered spots, 
even on the highest peaks, which is 
fortunate for the mountain sheep seeking 
these high, open places to escape their 
special enemies, the mountain lions. 

The sights above timber line never 
lose their charm, however often seen. 

Ice Cold Lakes and Flowered Gorges 

A distinctive feature of the Park is its 
great number of precipice-walled can- 
yons, lying between the very feet of the 
loftiest mountains. Their beauty is 
romantic. Like all the other spectacles 
of this favored region, they are readily 
accessible from the valley by trail, 
either afoot or on horseback. 

Almost invariably lakes are found in 
these gorges, rock embedded, and ice 
cold streams wander from lake to lake, 
watering wild flower gardens. 

By Auto or Trail to Cloudland and Back 

Automobile roads radiate in almost every 
direction from the village of Estes Park. The 
most popular trips are the Fall River Drive, the 
High Line Drive and Long's Peak Inn Drive. 

Trails to less accessible points are for use of 
the foot traveler and the horseback rider. 



Among the popular trails are those to Flattop 
Mountain, Fall River, Trail Ridge, Iceberg Lake, 
Poudre Lakes and Milner Pass, Lawn Lake, Wild 
Gardens, Fern and Odessa Lakes, Bear Lake, 
romantic Loch Vale, Glacier Gorge, to Long's 
Peak and to Wild Basin and across the range to 
Grand Lake. 

Camps and Camping Grounds 

Several permanent hotel camps are located 
within the borders of the Park, and camping 
grounds have been provided for those who 
choose to travel with their own camping outfit. 

Personally Conducted Saddle and Pack 
Trips off the Beaten Paths 

A most enjoyable way of seeing the Park is 
to join an all-expense horseback camping party, 
conducted by experienced guides, authorized by 
the Government to personally escort such 
excursions. 

For the names and addresses of the licensees 
and other information concerning these "Rough- 
ing-it-in-Comfort" trips, apply to National Park 
Service, Department of the Interior, Washington. 
D. C., or Bureau of Service, National Parks and 
Monuments: or Travel Bureau — Western Lines, 
646 Transportation Building, Chicago. 111. 

Information within the Park 

Information concerning trail trips, camping 
grounds, etc., may be obtained from the Super- 
intendent of Rocky Mountain National Park, 
whose office is conveniently situated in the 
village of Estes Park. 

When to Visit the Park 

The season is May I to November 1 , but the 
Park is accessible throughout the year, each 
season having its particular attractions. Sum- 




Horseback riding in the mountains is always an exhilarating sport 



P a ^ e seventeen 




The Fall River Road Drive, part of the automobile highway across the Continental Divide (now under construe 

tion) — one of the most popular auto roads in the Park 
Page eighteen 



mer is of course recommended to the vacationist, 
but he who waits until autumn has tinted the 
foHage and perhaps added a Hght covering of 
fresh snow enjoys views of beauty reserved 
especially for the late comer. The many winter 
sports equally appeal to those interested. 

How to Reach the Park 

The Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation 
Company maintains an excellent motor service 
via three routes into EstesPark Village: The Big 
Thompson Canyon route, the St. Vrain River 
route and the Allen's Park route. 

From Loveland and Ft. Collins the traveler 
approaches via the Big Thompson Canyon 
route. The road winds quietly across the 
plains, through the foothills and enters suddenly 
into the rocky canyon which towers hundreds of 
feet above either side of the Big Thompson 
River. For miles it climbs through the gor- 
geous canyon, twisting and turning as it crosses 
and recrosses and follows the rock-hewn banks 
of this turbulent stream, until, rounding the last 
turn, it leaves the canyon as suddenly as it 
entered, and the smiling expanse of Estes Park 
bursts upon the view, with the panorama of the 
snow crowned Continental Divide as an en- 
circling background. Two miles across the 
wide-spreading flower dotted meadow, and the 
village of Estes Park is reached. 

From Longmont and Lyons the route 
follows the St. Vrain River. After leaving its 
course along the shaded St. Vrain River the 
road leads toward the foothills through a rugged 
country. Backward and forth across sparkling 
stream and sunlit canyon, tortuously winding 
and twisting, the way is ever upward, mile after 
mile until finally the car pauses at the crest of 
Park Hill (elevation 8.500 feet), from which a 
spectacular scene of peaks and valley greets the 
eye. A short ride downward over a level 
stretch, then comes the welcome hospitality 
of Estes Park Village. 

The Allen's Park Auto Road parallels the 
Continental Divide for twenty-eight miles. 
This is a "cross-country" route on top of the 
mountains, with a wide expanse of views of the 
range from Long's Peak on the north to James' 
Peak on the south. 

Each of the several approaches to the Park 
has its own peculiar scenic charms, and the 
traveler is wise who enters via one gateway and 
departs by another. 

Denver, Ft. Collins, Longmont, Loveland, 
Lyons and Ward are the eastern railroad gate- 
ways to the Park. 

Travelers have the choice of using auto all the 
way from Denver or rail to any of the other gate- 
ways named, thence auto to Estes Park Village. 

Arrangements may be made to go in one way 
and out another. 

The west side of the Park may be reached from 
Denver by rail to Granby; from Granby stages 
run to Grand Lake. 

Summer Excursion Fares 

During the summer season round-trip excur- 
sion tickets at reduced fares are sold to Rocky 
Mountain National Park as a destination. Pas- 
sengers visiting the Park as a side-trip in con- 
nection with a journey to other destinations will 



find stopover privileges available on round-trip 
and one-way tickets. 

The fare from Denver via automobile all the 
way in both directions, or from Denver via rail- 
road to Lyons, Fort Collins, Longmont, Love- 
land or Ward, thence automobile to Estes Park, 
is $10.00, round trip. The round trip fare via 
automobile from Lyons, Fort Collins, Long- 
mont, Loveland or Ward to Estes Park is $8.00. 

From many sections trips may be planned to 
include visits to two or more of the following 
national parks in the Rocky Mountain region: 
Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Yellowstone, 
Glacier. 

Auto Trips within the Park 

The Rocky Mountain Parks Transportation 
Company conducts the following sight-seeing 
trips from Estes Park Village into the National 
Park. The charges for the principal trips are: 
Fall River Road drive, approximately 

26 miles $3.50 

Fall River Road and High drive, approxi- 
mately 30 miles 4.00 

Long's Peak Inn or High drive, 20 miles. . . . 2.50 
Special arrangements may be made with the 
transportation company for touring cars to any 
point in the Park. There are 125 miles of 
secnic auto highways within the Park. 

Miscellaneous 

Clothing. One should bring along warm 
clothing, sweaters, light overcoats or wraps, 
stout low-heeled shoes for climbing, and "slick- 
ers" as a protection from sudden showers. 

Horses may be engaged at the liveries in the 
village, and at almost all the resorts; prices 
range from $3.00 per day to $12.50 or $15.00 
per week. Pack horses, $2.50 per day. 

Mail. Postoflices are located at Estes Park, 
Long's Peak, Moraine Park, Drake, Allen's 
Park and Grand Lake. 

Telephone and Telegraph. Long distance 
telephone service at all resorts; telegraph service 
at Estes Park Village. 

Automobiles. May be rented at the princi- 
pal garages in the village, and cars are also 
obtainable at some of the resorts. 

Guides. One should not attempt the ascent 
of any of the higher peaks, a visit to the glaciers 
or a long trip over unfamiliar trails without a 
guide. Competent guides may be obtained at 
from $5.00 to $10.00 a day. 

Outfits. Fishing tackle, golf clubs, tennis 
rackets, cameras and khaki riding outfits may 
be purchased in Estes Park Village. 

Baggage. The Rocky Mountain Parks 
Transportation Company carries hand baggage, 
not to exceed 20 pounds per passenger, free; 
other baggage, $1.25 per hundred pounds. 
Hand baggage carried at owner's risk only. 
Baggage may be checked direct to Estes Park, 
Colo., but charge of $1 .25 per hundred pounds 
will be collected at Estes Park for auto trans- 
portation of baggage from the railroad terminals. 
Passengers using autos from Denver will be 
charged $1 .75 per hundred pounds. 

The following books pertaining to Rocky 
Mountain National Park attractions will be 
found very interesting: 

•The National Parks." 1919— Yard $2.50 

The Grizzly"— Mills 2.00 

The Story of Estes Park"— Mills 1.00 



Page n/nefoen 




A view of Taylor Glacier at upper end of Loch Vale 



Page twenty 



"Beaver World"— Mills $1.75 

"Spell of the Rockies"— Mills 1.75 

"Rocky Mountain Wonderland" — Mills 1.75 

"Handbook of Birds of the Western U. S." — 

Bailey 3.00 

"Rocky Mountain Flowers" — Clements 3.00 

"Our National Parks" — Muir 1.75 

"Saddle and Camp in the Rockies"- — Wallace. . . . 1.75 

"Old Indian Trails"— Schaffer 2.00 

"Highways and Byways of the Rocky Mountains" 

— Johnson 1 .50 

"Guide to the National Parks of America"- — 

Allen 1.00 

"History of the Birds of Colorado" — Schlater . . 5.00 

"The Mammals of Colorado" — Warren 2.00 

"Your National Parks" — Mills 2.50 

"Out Where the West Begins" — Chapman 1.25 



U. S. Government Publication* 

The following publications may be obtained 
from the Superintendent of Documents. Govern- 
ment Printing Office, Washington, D. C, at 
prices given. Remittances should be by money 
order or in cash. 

"The Geologic Story of Rocky Mountain National Park," 
by Willis T. Lee; 89 pages. 45 plates. 30 cents. 

"Mountaineering in the Rocky Mountain National Park," 
by Roger W. Toll; 48 illustrations, 2 maps. 

"Panoramic View of Rocky Mountain National Park"; 
14 by 1 7 ' 2 inches. 25 cents. 

"National Parks Portfolio," by Robert Sterling Yard; 
260 pages, 270 illustrations, descriptive of nine 
national parks. Pamphlet edition, 35 cents; book 
edition, 55 cents. 



The following may be obtained from the Direc- 
tor of the United States Geological Survey, 
Washington, D. C., at price given. 

Map of Long's Peak Quadrangle, which includes the 
greater portions of the Rocky Mountain National 
Park; 13 ,'2 by 17 '2 inches. 10 cents. 



The following publications may be obtained 
free on written application to the Director of 
the National Park Service, Washington, D. C, 
or by personal application at the office of the 
Superintendent of the Park. 

Circular of General Information regarding Rocky 

Mountain National Park. 
Glimpses of Our National Parks; 48 pages, illustrated. 
Map showing location of National Parks and National 

Monuments and railroad routes thereto. 



U. S. R. R. Administration Publications 

The following publications may be obtained 
free on application to any consolidated ticket 
office; or apply to the Bureau of Service, National 
Parks and Monuments; or Travel Bureau — 
Western Lines, 646 Transportation Building. 
Chicago, Illinois: 

Arizona and New Mexico Rockies. 
California for the Tourist. 
Colorado and Utah Rockies. 
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. 
Glacier National Park, Montana. 
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 
Hawaii National Park, Hawaiian Islands. 
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. 
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. 
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. 
Northern Lakes — Wisconsin, Minnesota, Upper Michi- 
gan, Iowa and Illinois. 
Pacific Northwest and Alaska. 
Petrified Forest National Monument, Arizona. 
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. 
Sequoia and General Grant National Parks, California. 
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho. 
Yosemite National Park, California. 
Zion National Monument, Utah. 




It is not unusual to find flowers and snowfields in close proximity 

Page twenty-ono 




Rocky Mountain sheep are often seen by Park visitors 

The Following are the Principal Hotels, with Capacity, Manager 
and Rates for Room and Board. 

Note — The rates given are published for the information of the public, but th« United States Railroad 
Administration assumes no responsibility for their correctness. 



NAME 



Baldpate Inn 

Bear Lake Lodge. . . 

Big Thompson 

The Brinwood 

Brown Tea Pot Inn. 

Camp Wheeler 

The Columbines. . . . 
Copeland Lodge. . . . 
The Crag 



^rags 

Elkhorn Lodge. 
Elstes Park Hotel . 



Fall River Lodge 

Fern Lodge 

Forest Inn 

Hewes- Kirk wood. . . . 

Horse3hoe Inn 

Hupp Hotel 

Josephine Hotel 

rCauffman House. . . . 

Langles Hotel 

Lawn Lake Lodge. . . 

Lehmans Hotel 

Lesters Hotel 

Lcwiston Hotel 

Long's Peak Inn .... 

Moraine Lodge 

Narwata Hotel 

National Park Hotel 

Prospect Inn 

Rapids Lodge 

Rockdale 

Sprague's Lodge A. El. Sprague 

Stanley Hotel Address Manager 

Steads Ranch and Hotel Address Manager 

Timberline Cabin Enos A. Mills. . 



MANAGER 



Address Manager. 

A. E. Brown 

Address (Manager . 
C. L. Reed & Sons 
Address Manager. 
"Squeaky iBobs" . . 

C. H. Alexander. . 
Address Manager. 

Joe Mills 

Address Manager. 
A. D. Lewis. . . ... 

D. J. March 

F. W. Byerly 

F. D. Tecker 

C. E. Hewes 

Bradley & Patrick 
Address Manager. 

A. D. Lewis 

Address Manager. 
Address Manager. 
Bradley & Patrick 
Address Manager. 
Address Manager. 

A. D. Lewis 

Enos A. Mills. . . 
Mrs. W. D. McPherson 
Address Manager 
Address Manager 
Address Manager 
Address Manager 
A. D. Lewis 



Postoffice Address 
(Colorado) 

Elstes Park 

Estes Park. . . 

Estes Park 

Moraine Park. . 

Elstes Park 

Grand Lake .. . 

Long's Peak 

Allen's Park 

Elstes Park 

Elstes Park 

Elstes Park 

Elstes Park 

Moraine Park.. 
Moraine Park 
Long's Peak . 

Estes Park 

Elstes Park . 

Elstes Park 

Grand Lake . 

Grand Lake 

Elstes Park 

Grand Lake 

Elstes Park ... 
Estes Park . . 
Long's Peak . . . 
Moraine Park . 

Grand Lake 

Allen's Park . . 
Elstes Park . 
Grand Lake . . 
Estes Park . 
Estes Park. . . 
Elstes Park 
Moraine Park. . . 
Lonu's Peak 



Capacity 



Rates Per Week 



20 






$28.00 


40 






20.00 


230 


$28.00 


to 


35.00 


75 


17.50 


to 


30.00 


60 


3.50 


o 6.00 (Day) 


20 


3.00 (Day) 


64 


16.00 


to 


33.00 


60 


18.00 


to 


20.00 


150 


21.00 


to 


45.00 


250 


21.00 


to 


40.00 


50 


15.00 


to 


25.00 


50 


16.00 


to 


35.00 


50 






20.00 


50 






20.00 


80 


18.00 


to 


25.00 


100 


16.00 


to 


30.00 


75 


16.00 


to 


20.00 


40 


15.00 


to 


25.00 


40 


2.50 (Day) 


30 


2.00 


(Day) 


15 


3.25 (Day) 


25 


2.00 (Day) .... 


100 


16.00 


to 


22.00 


VO 


22.50 


to 


40.00 


150 


21.00 


to 


49.00 


75 


16.00 


to 


30.00 


20 


2.50 (Day) 


45 


15.00 


to 


18.00 


30 


2.00 


to 2.50 (Day) 


50 


2.50 


(Day) 


50 


15.00 


to 


22.00 


50 


18.00 


to 


21.00 


300 


28.00 


to 


84.00 


200 


16.00 


to 


21.00 




4.25 (Day) 



Furnished cottages may be rented from C. H. Bond. Elstes Park. Colo., and Hayden Bros.. Elstes Park. Colo., 
at from $15.00 per week to $1,000.00 for the season. Mrs. C. R. Berger, Estes Park. Colo., has a number of cottages 
and tent houses at McCreery's Ranch, furnished for light housekeeping, for rent at $75.00 to $135.00 for the season. 



f 9 g9 tw9nty-tW0 









c 




The National Parks at a glance 

United States Railroad Administration 
Director General of Railroads 
For particulars as to fares, train schedules, etc., apply to any Railroad Ticket Agent, or to any 
of the following Consolidated Ticket Offices: 

West 

Lincoln. Neb 104 N. 13th St. 

Little Rock, Ark 202 W. 2d St. 

Long Beach, Cal. . . .L.A.& S.L. Station 

Los Angeles, Cal 215 S. Broadway 

Milwaukee. Wis 99 Wisconsin St. 

Minneapolis, Minn. 202 Sixth St., South 
Oakland, Cal. .13th St. and Broadway 

Ocean Park, Cal 160 Pier Ave. 

Oklahoma City, Okla. 1 3 I W. Grand Ave. 

Omaha, Neb. 1416 Dodge St. 

Peoria, 111.. .Jefferson and Liberty Sts. 
Phoenix, Ariz. 

Adams St. and Central Ave. 
Portland. Ore. . 3d and Washington Sts. 

Pueblo, Colo 401-3 N. Union Ave. 

St. Joseph, Mo 505 Francis St. 

St. Louis. Mo... 3 1 8-328 N. Broadway 

East 

Detroit, Mich.. . 13 W. LaFayette Ave. 
Evansville, Ind. L. & N. R. R. Bldg. 

Grand Rapids, Mich 125 Pearl St. 

Indianapolis, Ind. 112-14 English Block 
Newark, N. J. Clinton and Beaver Sts. 

New York, N. Y 64 Broadway 

New York. N. Y. 57 Chambers St. 

New York, N. Y 31 W. 32d St. 

New York, N. Y 1 14 W. 42d St. 

South 

Knoxville. Tenn 600 Gay St. 

Lexington, Ky Union Station 

Louisville, Ky. . . . .4th and Market Sts. 

Lynchburg. Va 722 Main St. 

Memphis. Tenn 60 N. Main St. 

Mobile. Ala 51 S. Royal St. 

Montgomery, Ala Elxchange Hotel 

Nashville. Tenn. Independent Life Bldg. 
New Orleans. La St. Charles Hotel 

For detailed information regarding National Parks and Monuments address Bureau of Service, 
National Parks and Monuments, or Travel Bureau — Western Lines, 646 Transportation Bldg,. 
Chicago. 

P a i o twenty'three 



Beaumont, Tex. .Orleans and Pearl Sts. 

Bremerton, Wash 224 Front St. 

Butte, Mont 2 N. Main St. 

Chicago, 111 I 75 W. Jackson Blvd. 

Colorado Springs, Colo. 

119 E. Pike's Peak Ave. 

Dallas, Tex 112-114 Field St. 

Denver, Colo 601 17th St. 

Des Moines. Iowa 403 Walnut St. 

Duluth. Minn 334 W. Superior St. 

El Paso. Tex . . Mills and Oregon Sts. 

Ft. Worth. Tex 702 Houston St. 

Fresno. Cal J and Fresno Sts. 

Galveston. Tex. .21st and Market Sts. 

Helena. Mont 58 S. Main St. 

Houston. Tex 904 Texas Ave. 

Kansas City. Mo. 

Ry. Ex. Bldg.. 7th and Walnut Sts. 

Annapolis. Md 54 Maryland Ave. 

Atlantic City. N. J.. . 1301 Pacific Ave. 
Baltimore. Md . . B. & O. R. R. Bldg. 

Boston. Mass 67 Franklin St. 

Brooklyn, N. Y 336 Fulton St. 

Buffalo, N. Y..Main and Division Sts. 
Cincinnati. Ohio. . .6th and Main Sts. 
Cleveland. Ohio. . . . 1004 Prospect Ave. 

Columbus, Ohio 70 East Gay St. 

Dayton. Ohio 19 S. Ludlow St. 

Asheville. N. C 14 S. Polk Square 

Atlanta. Ga 74 Peachtree St. 

Augusta. Ga 811 Broad St. 

Birmingham. Ala 2010 1st Ave. 

Charleston. S. C Charleston Hotel 

Charlotte, N. C 22 S. Tryon St. 

Chattanooga. Tenn. . . .817 Market St. 

Columbia, S. C Arcade Building 

Jacksonville, Fla 38 W. Bay St. 



St. Paul, Minn.. .4th and Jackson Sts. 

Sacramento. Cal 801 K St. 

Salt Lake City. Utah. 

Main and S. Temple Sts. 
San Antonio, Texas, 

3I5-I7N. St. Mary's St. 

San Diego. Cal 300 Broadway 

San Francisco. Cal. 

Lick Bldg.. Post St. and Lick Place 
San Jose. Cal. 1st and San Fernando Sts. 

Seattle. Wash 714-16 2d Ave. 

Shreveport. La. Milam and Market Sts. 

Sioux City. Iowa 510 4th St. 

Spokane. Wash. 

Davenport Hotel. 815 Sprague Ave. 
Tacoma. Wash. ... 1 I 1 7-19 Pacific Ave. 
Waco. Texas . . .6th and Franklin Sts. 

Whittier. Cal L. A. & S. L. Station 

Winnipeg, Man 226 Portage Ave. 

Philadelphia, Pa. . . . 1539 Chestnut St. 

Pittsburgh. Pa Arcade Building 

Reading. Pa 16 N. Fifth St. 

Rochester. N. Y 20 State St. 

Syracuse. N. Y University Block 

Toledo. Ohio 320 Madison Ave. 

Washington. D. C. . . . 1 229 F St.. N. W. 
Williamsport. Pa. . . .4th and Pine Sts. 
Wilmington. Del 905 Market St. 

Paducah. Ky 430 Broadway 

Pensacola. Fla San Carlos Hotel 

Raleigh. N. C 305 LaFavette St. 

Richmond. Va 830 E. Main St. 

Savannah, Ga 37 Bull St. 

Sheffield, Ala Sheffield Hotel 

Tampa, Fla. Hillsboro Hotel 

Vicksburg, Miss .1319 Washington St. 
Winston-Salem. N. C. 236 N. Main St. 



■ KASON, 1019 



PRESS OF FAULKNER-RYAN CO., CHICAaO 



vjni^oo 




